Filled can jetting mechanism



Dec. 30, 1941. R. J. NORDQUIST 2,267,744

FILLED CAN JETTING IECHANISI Filed Sept. 4, 193'! Dec. 30, 1941. R. EPJ. NORDQUIST FILLED CAN JETTING MECHANISM Filed Sept. 4, 193'] 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS Dec. 30, 1941.

R. E. J. NORDQUIST FILLED CAN JETTING- MECHANISM I Filed-Sept. 4, 193'? 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 excluding the air preparatory to scalin Patented Dec. 30, 19 41 2,267,144 rump CAN m'r'rnvo MECHANISM Ronald E. J. Nordqnlst, Maplewood, N. J., assignor v to American Can Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey Application September 4, 1937, Serial No. 162,532

zs ciaims.

The present invention relates to a lettin mechanism for liquid filling machines or the like and has particular reference to jetting a fluid into a liquid filled container so that the contents of the container will be agitated sufficiently to boil up or foam over and to temporarily fill. the head space in the container thereby excluding the air preparatory to sealing the container.

An object of the invention is the provision of a mechanism for jetting inert gas or gas charged liquid into a liquid filled container and below the surface level so that the adjacent surface liquid is agitated enough to produce a foam which boils up and fills the head space of the container thus Another object is the'provision of a jetting mechanism of this character having a plurality of jetting elements operating in time with the travel of a continuously moving procession of liquid filled containers for introducing into each container a charge of fluid which effects a foam-' ing up of the liquid so that air in the head'space of the container will be excluded.

Another object is the provision of such a jetting mechanism wherein the pressure of the gas Jetted into the filled containers is'controlled so that the liquid will not be agitated too much and so that auniform fine creamy foam is produced on the surface of the liquid.

Still another object is the provision of a letting mechanism wherein the gas introducin element is cleaned out by flushing with filtered water after each jetting operation and the water is then expelled and replaced by filling gas so that the element will be ready for immediate action in a subsequent jetting operation.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood' from the following description, which.

along a horizontal plane indicated by the lines 2-2 in Fig. l; l

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along the broken line 3-3 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section-taken substan tlally along the line 4-4 in Fig. 3; and

preferred embodiment Fig. 5 is an enlarged vertical section taken are moved in a continuous procession past a jetting device 13 (Fig. 1). The containers may contain beer, as one example ofa suitable liquid to be jetted, although the inventiomis equally well adapted to any other jettable liquid.

As a container A passes the jetting device B a charge of fluid, preferably carbon dioxide gas if the liquid is beer, is introduced into the liquid (i.,e., the beer) below its surface level. The charge of carbon dioxide agitates a portion of the beer near its surface eifecting a foaming up in a uniform creamy consistency. The foam fills the head space in the container and overflows thereby excluding the air. While the containeris in this air freed condition it is passed on to a suitable place of deposit for. closing and sealing with a cover.

The filled containers A to be suitable manner, as for example, by way of a runway ll (Fig. 1) having inner and outer guide rails I2, I 3. The apparatus end of the runway is supported on a ledge 14 formed on a main frame It which supports the various parts of the mechanism. If desired the runway may leaddirectly from a container filling machine or the like or the runway may be dispensed with entirely and the letting device 3 directly incorporated as a part of sucha container filling machine.

'Thefilled containers are propelled through the mechanism by a horizontal star wheel I! (see also Figs. 2 and 3) which is disposed just above the top of the main frame IS. The star wheel is provided with pockets IQ for retaining the cans in spaced and timed order. The star wheel is mounted on a vertical shaft 2i which is carried in a bearing 22 formed in the frame it and also in a bearing 23 formed in a head plate 24 disposed above the star wheel and secured by bolts 2! to the frame It.

Star wheel shaft 21' is continuously rotated by a spur gear 3| which is carried on the shaft just under the star wheel It. The gear meshes with a pinion I: carried on a drive shaft 33. The drive shaft may be the motor shaft of an electric motor II (indicated in the wiring diagram in Fig. 1) or may be a part of suitable driving means connecting with such a motor.

Containers propelled by the rotating star wheel ll are supported on to; of the main frame It.

Jetted are introduced in timed order into the apparatus in any These containers are guided by a curved peripheral portion of the head plate 25 and also by a curved extension 36 of the runway outer guide rail It. The extension 3% is secured to the main frame l by a bracket ill.

The jetting device B includes an annular stationary cam M (Fig. 3) which is bolted on top of the head plate 2E adjacent the path of travel of the cont'ainersA. The cam is provided with a cam groove 42. The inner wall section of the cam is shouldered as at 53 for supporting a rotatable turret iii.

Turret 45 extends over the top of the cam ll and is provided with spaced pairs of depending lugs 55 (see also Figs. 1 and 2) which carry a plurality of bell crank levers ll. Each lever is carried on a pivot pin 48 secured in a pair of the lugs 46. One leg of the bell crank lever extends toward the cam ii and carries acam roller as which operates in the'cam groove 42. The other leg of the bell crank lever projects upwardly and is cut away to form springlike side wings 511 for clamping around and tightly holding a jetting the desired design of the apparatus.

' The turret 45 is continuously rotated by a vertical worm shaft 55 the lower end of which is vJournaled in a depending bearingdfi formed on a housing 51. The upper end of the shaft is journaled in a bearing formed in a cover plate 58 seated on top of the housing. The housing is secured to the side of a short column 59 which is fastened to the head plate 25 and which surrounds the upper end of the star wheel shaft 2i. Within the housing 511 the shaft 55 carries a worm wheel 62 which meshes with a worm 83 mounted on one end of a horizontal cross shaft dd. This cross shaft is carried in a bearing til formed in the housing or.

The opposite end of the shaft 66 carries a bevel gear (36 which meshes with a similar gear at mounted within the column 59 on a stud 68.

- face of the member.

Bevel gear (ill is formed integrally with a spur gear d9 which meshes with a gear ll mounted onthe upper end of the star wheel shaft 25. Hence as the star wheel shaft 20 rotates the star wheel ii) for moving the containers past the letting devices B, it also rotates the turret t5 and thus moves the nozzles 52 carried thereon in time with the movement of the containers.

As a can A propelled by the star wheel it) approaches the letting devices, a nozzle 52 sweeps into position over the top of the can and travels with it through a short are of travel. During this travel the cam 5i tilts the bell crank lever 47 carrying the nozzle and thereby dips the outer end of the nozzle into the beer within the container as shown in Fig. 3. The discharge and of the nozzle extends slightly below the sur face of the beer. It is while the nozzle is in this position with its discharge end immersed in the beer that the charge of carbon dioxide gas is jetted into the beer. 7 v

The jetting of the gas into the beer is controlled by valve instrumentalities which include an upper or stationary valve member 15 (Figs. 3, 4 and 5) and a lower or rotatable 'valve member 16. The stationary valve member 75 is annular in shape and surrounds the worm shaft bearing 56 adjacent the housing 51. Plus 1 secured in the housing and in the valve member hold the latter stationary.

The rotating valve member i8 is cup shape and is disposed below the stationary valve member :15. The upper portion of the rotating valve member surrounds the worm shaft bearing 56 while the lower portion is keyed to the rotat n worm shaft 55. Hence the rotating valve member revolves with the turret t5 and the nozzles 52 carried thereon. A compression spring 19 located in an annular recess 8! in the turret 45 presses the rotating valve member tightly against the bottom surface of the stationary valve memher for preventing leakage between the engaging surfaces of the members.

The lower or rotating valve member l6 is provided with a plurality of receiving ports. 83 which communicate with the top or valve engaging sur- Each port also communicates with a nipple M which is secured in the side of the valve. There is one of these ports and one of these nipples for each jetter nozzle 52, the nozzle being connected with its nipple by a tube 85. A notch 85 is formed in one of the side wings 5! of the nozzle lever ll for clearance of the tube at its nozzle end. One of the turret lugs 46 of each pair is also cut away as at 81 to provide clearance for the tube.

The upper or stationary valve member 15 is also provided with collecting ports for cooperation with the receiving ports 83 of the rotating valve member and these communicate with the bottom or valve engaging surface of the member and also communicate with nipples 89 which are secured in the side of the valve member. These collecting ports in valve member l5 include a low pressure gas collecting port 9| (Fig. 4), a water collecting port 92, and a high pressure gas collecting port 93. l

The low pressure gas port 93 is connected by a tube 95 to a commercial pressure reducer so of suitable construction which may be mounted on a shelf section at of the short column 59. The pressure reducer is connected into a gas pipe line 98 which includes a main shut-off valve 99, a bypass idi around the shut-oil valve, and a gas filter 8%. The by-pass isprovided with a separate or auxiliary shut-off valve H13. When the jetting mechanism is in operation this by-pass valve is kept closed. The pipe line 98 leads to any suitable source of jetting fluid which in the present description will be carbon dioxide preferably having a pressure ofbetween 15 and 20 pounds. The reducer lowers this pressure to between 4 and '7 pounds for use in the jetting operation.

. the solenoid coil.

Closing of hand switch it? completes the circuit and permits electric energy from generator I03 to pass through the system. This energy actuates the motor for operating the machine and simultaneously energizes the solenoid N35. The energized solenoid opens the main shut-off valve 99 and permits filtered gas to flow through the I pipe line 98 into the port 9| of the stationary valve member 15.

- auxiliary valve Hi3.

when a nozzle 52 is in jetting position in a container as hereinbefore described, its corresponding port 83 in the rotating valve member 16 is in alignment with the low pressure gas port SI of the stationary valve member 15.. "Hence filtered gas from the pipe line 98 passes through the valve ports 8|, 83, tube 85, and nozzle 52 into the beer in the container for producing the foam hereinbefore mentioned. This flow of gas is only momentary and continues only until the rotating valve member 16 moves the operating port 83 out of register with the port 9| in the stationary valve member 15.

When the ports 83, 9| are out of register the nozzle 52 is lifted out of the container by the cam H. The jetted container passes on to be covered and sealed and the next container in the line is brought into position for jetting by the following nozzle. Similarly the raised nozzle 52 is carried around toward the back of the mechanism and the next nozzle moves into place to jet v the next positioned container.

After a jetting operation the nozzle is interiorly'fiushed with water to clean it free from beer whichwould otherwise adhere to the nozzle port at its discharge end which was dipped into the container. This flushing is effected by the corresponding nozzle port 83 of the rotating valve member 18 coming into register with the water port 92 of the stationary valve member 15.

The water port 92 is connected by a tube M5 to a water pipe line H8 which is supported in the shelf section 91 of the short column 59. The water pipe line includes a pressure reduceriill, a hand operated cut-oil cock IE9, and a water filter Hi. The pipe line leads from any suitable source of water supply. Y

During normal operation of the apparatus the cockb H8 is open, hence when the ports 83, 92 are brought into register filtered water (reduced to a pressure of preferably one pound) passes through the ports, the nozzle tube 85 and the nozzle 52. The used water flowing out of the nozzle discharges into a cup I25, (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) and is conveyed by a waste pipe I26 to any suit able place of deposit Water is expelled from a nozzle 52 after the flushing actionby a blast of gas at high pressure. For this purpose the rotating valve member 16 brings the port 83 corresponding to the proper nozzle 52 into register with the high pressure gas port 83- of the stationary valve member 15.

Port I3 is connected by a tube III to a similar tube I29 which is supported in the shelfsection 91 of the short column '0. Tube l2! connects directly with the gas pipe line 9! at a place between the main shut-oil valve 9! and the pressure reducer. I. Hence the reducer is out out and filtered gas at high pressure is passed directly from the main shut-oil valve into the valve port 03. This high pressure gas shoots through.

theports l3, l3, nozzle tube .5 and nozzle 52,

' blowing out all water left in the nozzle.

After this water expelling operation on the nozzle the rotating valve member It cutaoi'i communication between the ports 83, I3 and the nozzle moves on for another jetting operation. The carbon dioxide gas used in the expelling operation remains in the nozzle which is thus conditioned for immediate action at the beginning of the next jetting operation. 7

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understoodfrom the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form,

construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim:

l. A jetting mechanism for a container filling machine or the like, comprising in combination: means for propelling uncovered liquid filled containers along a predetermined path of travel, a jetting element bodily movable with a said container for a. portion of its travel and adapted to be projected into said propelled container below the liquid level therein for introducing a charge of'fiuid into the liquid below its surface which effects a. foaming up of the liquid into the head space of the container for excluding the air preparatory to covering and sealing the container, means for projecting-said jetting element into said liquid filled container, and means for flushing' out said jetting element after the jetting operation.

2. A jetting mechanism for a container filling machine or the like, comprising in combination: a fiuid jetting element, means for bodily moving said element in a horizontal path of travel, means for inserting said jetting element into an uncovered liquid filled container below the liquid level therein, devices for directing a predetermined charge of fiuid through said inserted jetting element and into said liquid which eiiects a foaming up of the liquid'into the head space of the container for excluding the air preparatory to covering and sealing the container, and means for flushing out said jetting element after the jetting operation.

3. A jetting mechanism for a container filling machine or the like, comprising in combination: means for propelling uncovered liquid filled containers in a continuous procession along a prededetermined path of travel, a plurality of jetting elements bodily movable in registry with said containers for a portion of their path of travel, said elements being adapted to be projected individually into said propelled containers below the liquid level therein for introducing a charge of jetting fluid into the liquid below its surface which effects a foaming up of the liquid into the head spaces of the containers for excluding the air preparatory to covering and sealing the containers, means for projecting said jetting elements into said liquid filled containers, and means for flushing out said jetting element after the jettingoperation.

4. A jetting mechanism for a container filling machine or the like, comprising in combination a fiuid jetting element, means for bodily moving said element in a horizontal path of travel, means for inserting and for removing said jetting element into and out of an uncovered liquid filled container below the liquid level therein, devices for directing a predetermined charge of fiuid throughsaid jetting element and into said liquid when the jetting element is in insertei position,

means for flushing out and cleaning said jetting element when the latter is removed from the container, and means moving in timed relation with the movement of said jetting element for controlling the operation of said flushing and cleaning means.

5. A jetting mechanism for a container filling machine or the like, comprising in combination, a fluid jetting element, means for bodily moving said element in a horizontal path of travel,

.the operation of said flushing and cleaning means, and means disposed in the path of travel of said jetting element for receiving and carrying away the waste water therefrom.

6. A jetting mechanism for a container filling machine or the like, comprising incombination, a fluid jetting element, means for inserting and for removing said jetting element into and out of the liquid of an uncovered liquid filled container, devices for directing a predetermined charge of fluid through said jetting element and into said liquid when the jetting element is inserted within the container, and means for blowing out said jetting element after a jetting operation when the element is withdrawn from liquid when the jetting element is inserted within machine or the like, comprising in combination,

a fluid jetting element, means for inserting into and for removing said jetting element from'the liquid of an uncovered liquid filled container,

devices for directing a predetermined charge of the container and for refilling said element with said fluid to facilitate immediate jetting action on a subsequent container.

'7. A jetting mechanism for a container filling machine or the like, comprising in combination, a fluid jetting element, means for inserting and for removing said jetting element into and out of the liquid of an uncovered liquid filled container, devices for directing a predetermined charge of fluid through said jetting element and into said liquid when the jetting element is inserted within the container, means for water flushing and cleaning said jetting element when the latter is removed from the container, and means for expelling water from said jetting element aftercleaning.

8. A jetting mechanism for a container filling Q machine or the-like, comprising in combination.

a fluid jetting element, means for inserting and for removing said jetting element into and out of the liquid of an'uncovered liquid filled container, devices for directing a predetermined charge of jetting fluid through said jetting element and into said liquid when the jetting element is inserted within the container, means for water flushing and cleaning said jetting element when the latter is removed from the container,

fluid at a low pressure through said jetting element and into said liquid when the jetting element is in inserted position within the container, means for flushing out and cleaning said jetting element with water at a low pressure when the element is withdrawn from the container, devices for directing a blast of the jetting fluid at a high pressure through said jetting element for expelling waste water from the element after cleaning, and means for controlling the pressures of said fluid and of said water.

11. A jetting mechanism for a container filling machine or the like, comprising in combination, a fluid jetting element, means for bodily moving said element in a horizontal path of travel, means for inserting and for removing said jetting ele-- ment into and out of an uncovered liquid filledposition within the container, means for water flushing and cleaning said jetting element when the latter is removed from the container, means moving in timed relationwith the movement of said jetting element for controlling the operation of said flushing and cleaning means, and means associated with said fluid directing devices and said flushing and cleaning means respectively for filtering the jetting fluid andalso the water he- .tore use. r

12. A jetting mechanism for a container filling machine or the like, comprising in combination, means for advancing uncovered liquid filled containers through the mechanism, a fluid jetting element bodily movable in a horizontal path witha said container for a portion of its travel, means for moving said jetting element in registry with a said container during the advancement oi the latter, means for projecting said jetting element into an uncovered liquid filled container below the liquid level therein, devices for directing a predetermined charge of fluid from a suitable source of supply through said projected jetting element and into said and jetting fluid means for blowing out the water from said jetting element aftercleaning -and Ior filling said elem'entwlth said fluid for immediatejetting action on a subsequent con-- 'tainer.

9. A jetting mechanism for a container filling machine or the like, comprising in combination, a fluid jetting" element, means for inserting into and for removing said jetting-element from the liquid of an uncovered liquid filled container,

devices for .directinga predetermined charge ofl fluid through said jetting element and into said liquid to jet the same and to sweepout air from the head space of the container, actuating devices'tor said container advancing means, and P means included in an electrical circuit and coopera'ting with said actuating devices tor-cutting oi! the k supply of fluid when said'container a'dvancing means stop operating, 1

[13. A jetting mechanism for a container filling machine or the like, comprising in combination, means for advancing uncovered liquid filled containers through the mechanism, a fluid jetting element, means for inserting said jetting element into the liquid of an uncovered liquid filled container, devices for directinga predetermined charge otfiuid-irom a suitable source'oi supply through said inserted jetting element and into said liquid'to eifect a foaming up of the 7 liquid into the head space of the-container to jetting element for testing purposes.

14. A jetting mechanism for a container filling machine or the like, comprising in combination, means for conveying a jetting gas from a' gas supply, a stationary valve member connected with said gas conveying means and having a gas collecting port, a valve member rotatable on a vertical axis having a receiving port adapted to be brought into register with said stationary valve port, a jetting element connected with the rotatable valve receiving port for dispensing the gas received through said registered collecting port, means for bodily moving said'jetting element in a horizontal path of travel and means for projecting said jetting element in a vertical direction into a liquid filled container beneath the liquid level therein and while said jetting element is being bodily moved in its horizontal path of travel, whereby to introduce a charge of the gas into the liquid to effect a foaming up thereof into the head space of the container so valve member connected with the discharge end --of said pipe line and having a gas collecting portfor filtered reduced pressure gas, a rotatable valve member having a receiving port adapt:

ed upon rotation of said rotatable valve member to be brought into register with said gas collecting port, a jetting element connected with said receiving port of said rotatable valve member for dispensing the filtered and pressure reduced gas received through said registered ports, said jetting element being insertable into a liquid filled container to effect said dispensing of said gas, an electric motor for revolving said rotatable valve member, and a solenoid having electrical connection with said electric motor and also having actuating connection with said shut: off valve for stopping the flow of gas through the pipe line when said electric motor-stops.

16. A jetting mechanism for a container filling machine or the like, comprising in combination, a pipe line for conveying a jetting gas from a gas supply, devices including a shut off valve and a gas pressure reducer located in said pipe line, a stationary valve member connected with the discharge end of said pipe line and having a reduced pressure gas collecting port, .a rotatable valve member having a receiving port adapted to be brought into register with said gas collecting port, a jetting element connected with said rotatable valve receiving port for dispensing the pressure reduced gas when said valve 'ports are in register, said jetting element being insertable into a liquid filled container and when in inserted position introducing a charge of the pressure reduced gas into the liquid, an electric motor for revolving said rotatable valve member,

' a solenoid electrically connected with said electric motor and also having actuating connection with said shut-off valve for controlling the flow of gas through the pipe line, and means for admitting gas into the gas collecting port or said stationary valve member for testing. purposes when the electric motor is stopped and the shut-' off valve'isclosed.

17. A jetting mechanism for a container filling machine or the like, comprising in combination, means for conveying a jetting gas from a gas supply, a gas pressure reducer for reducing the pressure of said gas as received from said supply, a stationary valve member having a low pressure gas collecting port and a high pressure gas collecting port, a rotatable valve menu-- ber cooperating with said stationary valve member and having a receiving port, a jetting element connected with the receiving port of said rotatable valve member and insertable into a liquid filled container, and means for revolving said rotatable valve member to bring its receiving port first into register with said low pressure gas collecting port for directing a charge of gas at a reduced pressure through said jetting element and into the liquid of said liquid filled container and'secondlyto bring said receiving port into register with said high pressure gas collecting port after a jetting operation for directing a blast of the high pressure gas through the jetting element to blow out the interior of the latter.

18. A jetting mechanism for a container fillmember and having a receiving port, a jetting element connected with the receiving port of said rotatable valve member and adapted to be inserted into a liquid filled container beneath the liquid level therein, means for bodily moving said jetting element in a horizontal path of travel, and means for revolving said rotatable valve member to first bring its receiving port into registry with said gas collecting port for directing a charge of gas through said jetting element and into the liquid of the liquid filled container and secondly. to bring said receiving port into registry with the water collecting port of the stationary valve member after a jetting operation for directing a, charge of the filtered water through the jetting element for flushing and cleaning out the interior of the same.

19. A jetting mechanism for a container filling machine or the like, comprising in combina-' tion, a rotatable turret, means for propelling uncovered liquid filled containers in a continuous procession adjacent said turret, a plurality of jetting elements carried by said turret, means for rotating said turret in time with the travel of said advancing containers whereby a said jetting element is alignedv with a said passing container, means for moving said aligned jetting element relative to said turret to insert its discharge end into the liquid of its aligned container, valve means for first connecting said inserted jetting element with a source of jetting fiuid to jet the liquid within and sweep out air from the head space of said filled container and secondly for connecting said jetting element with a source of cleaning liquid after it is moved away from said inserted position to clean out the same.

20. Apparatus for the packaging of a readily foaming beverage in containers, said apparatus including means to move a series of filled but open containers, a gas discharge nozzle disposed above the path of movement of said containers, means to lower the nozzle as a filled container comes therebeneath and to elevate the same preparatory to movement of another container therebeneath, said last named means producing a downward movement of the nozzle which is adequate to bring the gas discharging tip of the nozzle beneath the surface of the beverage in the container, in order to cause agitation and foaming of the beverage.

21. In the packaging of a readily foaming beverage in containers, the method which .includes filling the container with the beverage, and immediately prior to sealing the container discharging a jet of gas into the beverage at a point beneath the surface thereof in order to cause agitation and foaming of the beverage, and

of said gas from the liquid and substantially expell the air from said head space.

23. A mechanism for creating foam in a liquid confined in a container wihich has a head space of air above said liquid, which comprises means for conveying a said container, a jetting device for fluid under pressure movable above said conveying means, and -means for moving said device relative to said container to immerse said device in said liquid and jet said fluid into said liquid to create sufllcient foam to drive the air out of said head space.

24. A mechanism for creating foam in a liquid confined in a container which has a head space of air above said liquid, which comprises means for conveying a said container, 8 jetting device for fluid under pressure movable above said conveying means, and cam actuated means for moving said device relative to said container to imamazes merse said device in said liquid and jet said fluid into said liquid to create sufiicient foam to drive the air out of said head space.

25. In apparatus for packaging gas containing beverages, means for supporting a container substantially filled with a gas containing beverage with a head space of air above the level of said beverage, a fluid jetting device, means to relatively move the said jetting device and supporting means so that the jetting device is submerged in the beverage and jets fluid thereinto beneath the surface thereof, a source of jetting fluid, and a flexible conduit connecting said source with said device, whereby foam is created to displace the air in said head space.

26. Apparatus for the packaging of beer in containers, said apparatus including means to move a series of filled but open containers, a gas discharge nozzle disposed above the path of movement of said containers, a valve for con- -trolling the discharge of gas, from said nozzle,

means to lower the nozzle as a filled container comes therebeneath and to elevate the same preparatory to movement of another container therebeneath, said last named means producing a downward movement of the nozzle which is adequate to bring the gas discharging tip oi the nozzle beneath the surface of the beer in the container. v

27. In apparatus for packaging gas containing beverages, means for supporting a container substantially filled with a gas containing beverage, the top container space containing air above the beverage liquid, a gas jetting device, and means to relatively move the said jetting device and supporting means so that the jetting device is submerged in the liquid and jets gas into the liquid beneath the surface thereof, thereby causing gas to rise from the liquid and displace the said air at the top container space above the liquid.

28. The method of packaging gas containing beverages comprising, substantially filling a container with the beverage in an atmosphere con taining air so that the top container space above the beverage liquid will contain air, and injecting a gaseous medium under pressure from a nozzle submerged in the liquid to thereby cause gas to rise from the liquid and displace the said air at the top container space above the liquid, and thereafter closing the container.

' RONALD E. J.:NORDQUIS'T. 

